Dabo Swinney Flaunts Clemson Achievements Amid Changing College Football Landscape
Dabo Swinney Flaunts Clemson Achievements Amid Changing College Football Landscape originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The college football landscape in 2025 is vastly different than the one Dabo Swinney saw when he was named Clemson's 27th head football coach in 2008.
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In 2018, months before Swinney led Clemson to its third national title in program history, the NCAA introduced the transfer portal, launching a new era in player movement from one program to another.
This change in player mobility was followed by the start of the "NIL era." Beginning July 1, 2021, players could profit from their name, image and likeness like never before. This changed the function of many college football "blue bloods" and attracted top talent from around the country.
But not Clemson.
Entering his 17th season as the Tigers' coach, Swinney continues to position himself as an NIL skeptic who is leaning into his reputation as an elite recruiter. Swinney became more entrenched in his stance after he guided Clemson to a surprise ACC Championship Game win and a College Football Playoff appearance in 2024.
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"We're top in the country in retention, and we also have the highest graduation rate," Swinney said on ESPN's "College Gameday Podcast." "We've been in the Playoff seven times in 10 years, and we've won the league eight out of 10 years. It's all been driven by a purpose, and that's what we stay committed to. That's our north star."
Swinney and Clemson did bend their "rules" a bit to secure Cade Klubnik on a $3.3 million NIL contract. But Klubnik's growth in 2024 helped the Tigers return to the playoffs for the first time in four years. It may prove to be the best $3 million spent in school history if Klubnik can deliver a national title in 2025.
Related: Cade Klubnik's Emotional Reaction To EA Sports College Football 26 News
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
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